98Whisky

98Whisky Jeep Grill

The Whisky: Jeep Journal

This Journal has been started because I want a place to jot down notes, experiences, and miscellaneous Jeep related things that cross my mind or experience. I’ve been meaning to do this in blog form for a long time, but I haven’t gotten to it the way I’d like. So, no more delays. Ready or not, here we go. This will be a perpetual Work-In-Progress, but then, isn’t that basically Jeep Life?

  • Modifications & Upgrades

    This Journal has been started because I want a place to jot down notes, experiences, and miscellaneous Jeep related things…

  • Are Mechanics Lug Nut Challenged?

    The lug nuts that came with them are an acorn style nut. They’re a bit longer have a metal cap enclosing the end. It turns out the extra depth is necessary because the mounting holes on the wheels are recessed. They’re pretty deep. The length is needed so that there’s enough surface area of the…

  • Maintenance, Repair, and Upgrades: The Whisky’s 2023 Saga – Part 5

    Another Rubicon trip was in the books. In spite of the drag link failure, the locker failure, and a yet to be diagnosed issue on the way back down the mountain, I only missed one night and part of one day of the trip. But I wasn’t home yet. Back to Big O Tires, Placerville…

  • Maintenance, Repair, and Upgrades: The Whisky’s 2023 Saga – Part 4

    There was still an hour or so of light left when we got to camp. By the time I got set up, fixed a bite to eat, and visited a bit with the group I was ready to get some sleep. The next day was the Buck Island Lake to Observation Point and back leg…

  • Maintenance, Repair, and upgrades: The Whisky’s 2023 Saga – Part 3

    Monday morning in Placerville, California. The original plan was for the main group to meet and camp at the trail head that evening. My first task was to find a shop to check The Whisky over and make sure it was up to the trip. The lady at the front desk at the National 9…

  • Maintenance, Repair, and Upgrades: The Whisky’s 2023 Saga – Part 2

    The Whisky (my Jeep) was in the shop for almost four months. Most of that was waiting for parts, but still, it was a long stretch. It meant I missed some trips, including a Moab trip. I decided to go with a major upgrade: Dynatrac axles. The ProRock D44/D60 kit with 5.13 gearing seemed like…

  • Maintenance, Repair, and Upgrades: The Whisky’s 2023 Saga

    There were no lights on the dash. Sway bar disconnect, lockers front and rear, traction control, all dash lights were off. There was nothing apparent underneath. Others in the group looked as well. None of us had an idea. So, with no apparent cause but seemingly drivable, I drove it home to West Los Angeles…

  • Synergy Drag Link

    As described in an earlier post, the nut on the steering knuckle end of the drag link came loose and ultimate fell off while I was driving. This caused me to lose ALL steering at 70mph on…

  • Helluva 12 Months

    Wow, a full year since the last entry. Well, it’s been a helluva past 12 months. So, let me get back to it and see if I can update a few things. Steering Issues: 4/13/23 After a weekend trip to Cougar Buttes a couple of weeks ago I began having steering issues. On hard left…

  • Windshield and Turn Signal Lamp

    A couple of maintenance items got done today. First, I got a new windshield put in. On my drive between Dodge City and Kansas City I got hit by some debris coming off trucks. Picked up two more chips in the windshield, both of which had the potential to crack. Fortunately I have my comprehensive…

  • Engine Tick, Running Hot, New Compressor

    I’m a little behind on the updates so I’ll try to catch up. The Cougar Buttes weekend went well. The front locker worked as expected.  All worked well and no issues tackling the usual obstacles. I did notice some fluid leaking after a while, but it looked to be coolant. When I checked the reservoir,…

  • Bolts and Front Axle

    I’ve got some repairs handled, finally. This weekend I’m going to do a couple of days out at Cougar Buttes with the SoCal Zen Jeepers. I’m going to baby it a bit as this will be the first time out since October. It’s also the first time out with some of the recent repairs so…